Sinani – KwaZulu-Natal Programme for Survivors of Violence

About Sinani

Sinani is a Nguni (IsiZulu) word meaning "we are with you." The organisation was founded in July 1994 — the same year South Africa became a democracy — and was registered under the name KwaZulu-Natal Programme for Survivors of Violence (PSV). Three decades on, Sinani remains one of KwaZulu-Natal's most respected community-based organisations working at the intersection of violence, poverty, and HIV/AIDS.

Sinani is registered as NPO 097-319 and holds Section 18A status, making donations tax deductible. Their work is supported by international partners including Medico International, Kindernothilfe, and Brot für die Welt (Bread for the World, Germany).

Approach

Sinani's model is grounded in a strengths-based, community-led approach. Rather than positioning communities as passive recipients of services, Sinani works through group-based facilitation processes that build community capacity to handle conflict peacefully, nurture children, support HIV-affected families, and develop self-reliant local leadership. This approach has earned the organisation a strong reputation for collaborative, dignified, and sustainable community development.

Programmes

Children and Family Programme — A psychosocial support and child protection programme targeting children aged 7–15 and their caregivers. Children participate in structured support groups that build resilience, emotional health, and the ability to express their feelings safely. Parents and caregivers receive parenting skills development, food security support, and are connected to schools and community services. Community childcare volunteers are identified, trained, and supported to provide community-based psychosocial support and referrals. Local political and traditional leadership are engaged in sensitisation sessions about children's rights and child protection, with ongoing dialogue to encourage men and community stakeholders to participate actively in protecting children.

Youth Programme — Targeting adolescents and young adults in under-resourced communities, the programme addresses the structural vulnerabilities — unemployment, lack of opportunity, social exclusion — that expose young people to violence and exploitation. Through camps, group sessions, and engagement with schools, young people are supported to build positive futures and break cycles of violence.

Health Programme — Addressing the intersection of HIV/AIDS and violence in communities where both are endemic. Sinani's health work has historically included trauma counselling, HIV prevention and treatment support, and community-based responses to the loss caused by AIDS deaths and the social disruption they cause.

Community Reach

Sinani operates across 13 under-resourced communities in KwaZulu-Natal, primarily in the Durban metro and surrounding areas. Their work has been credited by community members with transforming historically violent areas — with participants describing the impact as turning a community formerly known as "the Beirut of Durban" into a place of peace.